An abrupt exit by any other name

In a move away from the usual meaning of the phrase,
Medic Vision
has told its chief executive to go on “gardening leave".

In an example of how jargon makes its way into official statements, the medical training and technology company announced that chief executive
Vince Leone
had been given three months’ notice before his contract ends on December 15.

“Mr Leone will be placed on gardening leave for the duration of the three months’ notice," its release to the Australian Securities Exchange said yesterday.

Gardening leave is normally taken to mean someone has left one company but is unable to work for another for a set period of time. Medic Vision chairman
Jitto Arulampalam
has thanked Leone for his 18 months of service. Aralumpalan, who will become executive chairman while Medic Vision hunts for a new chief executive, says Leone played a major role in the restructuring of the company and also when it relisted on the Australian Stock Exchange late last year.